UNIS/OS/321
17 November 2005

United Nations Organizes Workshop on the International Heliophysical Year 2007

VIENNA, 17 November (UN Information Service) - The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA), within the framework of the United Nations Programme on Space, is organizing a four-day Workshop on the International Heliophysical Year (IHY) 2007. The Workshop is being co-sponsored by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA) of the United States. Hosted by the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), on behalf of the Government of the United Arab Emirates, the Workshop will be held in Abu Dhabi and Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates, 20 - 23 November 2005.

Since 1990, OOSA, in cooperation with national and international space-related agencies and organizations, has annually organized workshops on basic space science, particularly for the benefit of scientists and engineers from developing countries. Drawing on the experience gained from those workshops, OOSA, through the UN Basic Space Science Initiative (UNBSSI), will assist scientists and engineers from all over the world to participate in IHY. Moreover, the 12th UN/ESA Workshop on Basic Space Science, held in Beijing in 2004, recommended that future workshops in this series focus on IHY, which is to be celebrated worldwide in 2007, as well as on carrying out the plans that result from IHY 2007.

The objectives of the International Heliophysical Year are to: (a) develop the basic science of heliophysics (the connections between the Earth, the Sun and inter-planetary space) through cross-disciplinary studies of universal processes; (b) determine the response of terrestrial and planetary magnetospheres and atmospheres to external drivers; (c) promote research on the Sun-heliosphere system outward to the local interstellar medium; (d) foster international scientific cooperation in the study of heliophysical phenomena now and in the future; (e) preserve the history and legacy of the International Geophysical Year on its 50th anniversary; and (f) communicate unique IHY results to the scientific community and the general public.

The Workshop will address topics such as: solar heliospheric processes; education programmes on space science and technology; low-cost, ground-based instrument array initiatives for worldwide studies in space science; astrophysical research in Arab countries; astronomical telescope facilities in developing countries; and non-extensive statistical mechanics and astrophysics.

Approximately 145 participants from the following countries and international organizations are expected to attend the Workshop: Algeria, Armenia, Bahrain, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Eritrea, France, Georgia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Syria, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Yemen, ESA and OOSA.

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The United Nations Programme on Space Applications is implemented by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and works to improve the use of space science and technology for the economic and social development of all nations, in particular developing countries. Under the Programme, the Office conducts training courses, workshops, seminars and other activities on applications and capacity building in subjects such as remote sensing, communications, satellite meteorology, search and rescue, basic space science, satellite navigation and space law.

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (OOSA) implements the decisions of the General Assembly and of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and its two Subcommittees, the Scientific and Technical Subcommittee and the Legal Subcommittee. The Office is responsible for promoting international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, and assisting developing countries in using space science and technology. Located in Vienna, Austria, OOSA maintains a website at   http://www.unoosa.org/ .

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For information contact:

Qais Sultan
Associate Programme Officer, OOSA
Telephone: +43 1 260 60 4962
E-mail: qais.sultan@unvienna.org